To Your Health

by Help! It's Allergy Season

By Paulette Avery, RN, MSN

Does the sight of trees and flowers in bloom bring you to tears, and not tears of joy, but rather dread of the misery of allergy season? For those of you who suffer from the nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, and watery/itchy eyes common to this condition, this month's column is for you.

What is seasonal allergy? According to William Shearer, M.D., a professor of pediatrics and immunology at Baylor University in Texas, seasonal allergies are "an immune system reaction to a natural substance in the environment that occurs during a particular time of year."

Andrew Weil, M.D., tells us that, "allergies develop when the immune system perceives something innocuous, like mold or ragweed pollen, as a threat to health and attacks it." For most seasonal allergy sufferers, spring and summer are the biggest problem times, but seasonal allergies can occur at other times as well.

How can I tell the difference between seasonal allergy and a cold? A cold usually lasts between a week and ten days, with peak symptoms in the first week, and then gradual improvement. Allergy symptoms may come on suddenly and clear just as suddenly or may persist for days, weeks, or even months. Personally, I notice a different feeling in my nose that lets me know that it is my allergies flaring up rather than a cold coming on.

Why have I developed allergies recently when I've never had them before? You probably have a genetic predisposition to seasonal allergies, and recently something has triggered them to develop. For example, you may have moved to an area with more vegetation and higher pollen counts, or you may be experiencing more stress in your life. Exactly why and when allergies appear remains a mystery.

Do I need to see a doctor for my allergies? The answer to that depends on your symptoms and how often they bother you. For occasional mild symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing, over-the-counter remedies may be sufficient. But if you develop tightness in your chest or difficulty breathing, your symptoms are potentially dangerous and require the attention of an allergist. You may also want to see your doctor if you have milder but constant symptoms that are interfering with your life. The doctor may recommend treatment with antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, or cromolyn sodium nasal spray (Nasalcrom Nasal Solution), a nonprescription remedy. You may also benefit from allergy testing and allergy shots, which, over time, can desensitize your immune system to the allergens.

Are there alternative treatments for allergies? Dr. Weil offers many suggestions for treating allergies. He says he is not fond of antihistamines because they only mask the symptoms rather than block the allergy process. So, in addition to the treatments mentioned above, he recommends the following:

Try a low-protein diet. High amounts of protein can irritate the immune system. Eliminating cow's milk may also help.

Consider hypnosis to lessen or completely block allergic reactions.

Take steps to reduce the stress in your life. Your allergies may improve drastically or even disappear.

Consider buying a HEPA air filter to clean the air in your home.

Try taking 400 mg of Quercitin twice a day between meals. Quercitin is a supplement that occurs naturally in citrus fruit and buckwheat and may help prevent allergy symptoms.

More information on Zicam: In last month's column, I advised you of a reported problem with Zicam nasal spray. Shortly after writing that column, I saw a report on a local news show about it. A number of people have reported losing their sense of smell after using Zicam, and there are a number of suits against the company that produces it. Until we have more information, I advise against using Zicam nasal spray or swabs.

Paulette Avery is a registered nurse and a freelance writer who specializes in health issues.